Paris, without a doubt, is the most exquisite city in Europe, if not the entire world. Paris is a city that everybody should visit, on their own, at least once in their lives. There is a reason why it is the most popular city in the world. A few days in a city like Paris is insufficient to fully admire its uniqueness. Audrey Hepburn once said, “Paris is always a good idea.” And many people may still believe this even after so many years have passed.
That being said, some people hate, or perhaps at least dislike the city, as well. Yes, they exist, and we will tell you why, just keep on reading as we explain in details why so many people have a love-hate relationship with Paris.
The things we love
1. Food
Paris has fantastic food. The food in France is delectable, but Paris is renowned for its excellent global cuisine. We suggest having the everyday special, which contains a starter, entrée, and dessert for anything from 10 to 30 Euros. It’s a good deal, and you get to try a variety of items. Traditional dishes include escargot and frog legs, as well as delectable desserts and pastries, and let’s not ignore the wine! Diners, coffee shops, and eateries abound. The aroma of warm, flavoursome croissants in the air and bakeries and pastries have a wide variety of delectable treats. It’s difficult to resist all of the temptations here.
2. Picnics
Paris is popularly known as the city of love, and as soon as you get close to the Eiffel Tower, you can feel a strong, positive atmosphere. It is brimming with beautiful parks. Picnics are popular among couples, friends, and families everywhere. So, prepare your picnic cloth, pack some tasty meals, and savour the company of your better half or your family and friends. Call us insane, but we believe there is no better way to spend a day in Paris than in a park having a picnic with your loved ones.
3. Fashion
Also known as the fashion capital, the people who are living there know how to dress well. They are the true specimen of elegance and sophistication, most likely due to their upbringing in an aesthetic environment influenced by many phenomenal designers such as Chanel, Celine, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Givenchy, and many others. If you like fashion, you’ll love this city, but don’t presume to see many fashionable people near the main attractions. Also, Paris is a fantastic shopping destination. Everything from big stores, markets, boutiques to souvenir shops, can be found here.
4. Disneyland
There are just a few day tour options near Paris, but Disneyland will always be on top of our favourite’s list. That is the happiest place on Earth; a realm of fantasy, dreams, and fairy tales, brimming with laughter and excitement. Don’t think that this place is for the children alone. It is incredible, and you will never be too old to visit Disneyland.
5. Home for the artists
One of the most remarkable aspects of Paris is its extensive and illustrious history. There was a time when Paris was unquestionably Europe’s capital. It was fashionable, if not necessary, to speak French, dress like a Frenchman, listen to French music, and read French books. This era has passed, but Paris still wishes to please its guests. It shows off its residences: if you examine the details of the windows, balustrades, balconies, and chimneys, you will see how desperately it strives to please visitors.
The number of paintings, sculptures, and sketches created by the world’s most famous artists is astounding. Even Parisian graveyards have become tourist attractions because artists were so enamoured with the city that the majority of them chose to be buried there.
The things we hate
6. Parisians
What can ruin a lovely place more than a hostile crowd? Parisians have a bad image for being impolite. People cannot be expected to be as warm as they are in other cities. Remember a few French words but don’t expect much. They mostly do not speak English, and if you ask them a question in English, they will stare at you as if they have never heard that language before. If you make an attempt and ask something in French, you may not always receive a better response. This is the only city on the planet where the customer is never correct, so don’t expect waiters or hotel staff to be polite.
7. Crowd and traffic
Paris has hundreds of thousands of residents, and when you add millions of visitors, you can’t hope to enjoy anything by yourself. The lines for the major attractions are enormous, and you will spend hours queuing up in them. Traffic alone is another story. For someone who has been to Milan, they would think that the Italians are crazy, but in Paris, there’s a whole different level of craziness. Each time you get in a car or a taxi, you will feel as if you are part of some dead race, so do not even consider hiring a car in Paris.
8. Strikes in Paris
French people are aware of their rights, but it seems that they are only concerned about themselves. Strikes and protests are prevalent in France. You might get fortunate and avoid any strikes, but they are a fairly common occurrence these days and can disrupt your Paris travel, whether it is the metro, buses, or airports. Talk to your hotel staff in advance and ask them what to presume if you feel worried. They generally try to make sure that strikes do not have too much impact on the tourism industry.
9. Poor quality for a high price
Tourists in Paris are taken advantage of. They charge exorbitant prices for drinks and food. We all know that tourist destinations are usually pricey, and since Paris is one of the crowded tourist spots on the planet, you can’t expect anything less. What we do not like is the low quality of products you get for such a high cost. If you’re thinking about famous French wines, don’t come to Paris and don’t drink them there. We do not doubt that you will not be able to taste some fine wine at a reasonable price in every café or restaurant. However, it is difficult to think that wine for 6 Euros per glass, is of such poor quality.
10. Pickpockets
One of the most unpleasant aspects of visiting Paris is becoming a target for pickpockets and fierce beggars. You must take extreme caution, especially at crowded metro stations and train stations. People will follow you through a turnstile and rob your purse in the midst of the crowd.
